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Holy Thursday, Year B – 2021

What has been called: The Last Supper of Jesus with his twelve apostles was a very solemn moment indeed.
It seems that, on such very special occasions, Peter always came up with some special… interventions!

After the amazing catch of fish he and his friends had taken on Jesus’ indication, Peter had said:
“Depart from me, Lord, for I am a sinful man.” (Lk.5:8)
 
Then, a few times, Jesus had warned his apostles of what would happen to him and, again, Peter had intervened saying:
“Heaven forbid, Lord. This will never happen to you!” (Mt.16:22)
 
And, tonight, as Jesus kneels before him to wash his feet, Peter has a strong objection:
“Lord, are you going to wash my feet?”
And he insists:
“You will never wash my feet!” (Jn.13:6,8)
 
Jesus replies to him:
“Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.” (Jn.13:8)
 
This reference to Jesus’ relationship with Peter overcomes his resistance.
This is what changes his mind, his attitude, and no doubt, his heart too!
His spontaneous reactions and his sudden exclamations become subdued…

To accept Jesus is to accept all of him – what he proposes, what he offers, what he asks for…
The gesture of Jesus is a sign and Peter must accept the sign if he wants the relationship with Jesus to endure and to deepen –
it is as simple as that.

Could it be that this is also what I am faced with on this Holy Thursday?…

 
Note: Another reflection on a different theme is available in French at: https://image-i-nations.com/jeudi-saint-annee-b-2021/
 

 

Source: Image: TurnbackToGod.com

Feast of the Body and Blood of Christ, C

Last-Supper-croppedOur memory is a wonderful ‘instrument’ indeed. It is amazing what it can do. It has the power of bringing back to our minds things long past. It suddenly awakens memories of events of long ago, happenings great and small, pleasant encounters, even the faces of people who have since disappeared from our lives.

Yes, ‘memories’ and souvenirs are part of our ‘emotional baggage’ and they still influence in different ways our thoughts and attitudes. Of course, an important part of our lives is the place that our loved ones hold, what they are for us. Some of the relationships we have with our relatives, friends, and colleagues, are precious to us and we store in… our memory the souvenirs of the experiences shared with them.

This is what Jesus was referring to when, on the eve of his death, during the Last Supper he had with his friends he told them: “Do this in memory of me” – words that Paul repeats to the Corinthians in the 2nd reading (1 Cor.11:23-26).

Jesus asks us to remember him:

– Remember this gift of himself in the Eucharist.
Remember who he is and what he wants to be for us.
Remember what he has done for us, and what he is ready to do for us in the future.
Remember what he taught us, what he asks us to do and to be.
Remember what he has promised us,  what is waiting for us.

Indeed, there is much to remember and… to keep in mind. Every Eucharistic celebration, and especially that of today’s feast, helps us to do so.

Source: Image: saltandlighttv.org